S Sreesanth backs Umesh Yadav to break Shoaib Akhtar’s fastest delivery record

S Sreesanth, the tainted Indian fast bowler, feels that Umesh Yadav has the potential to bowl the fastest delivery in international cricket. Umesh manages to breach the 140 kmph on a frequent basis and has beaten the best in the business with his sheer pace. When he first forayed into cricket at the highest level, it was his ability to bowl thunderbolts that caught the eyes.

The record for the fastest is currently being held by former Pakistan speedster Shoaib Akhtar. The Rawalpindi Express churned out a 161.3 kph ball against England at the Newlands in Cape Town back in 2003. From there on, a number of pacers, including Shaun Tait, Brett Lee and Mitchell Starc, have touched the 160 kmph mark, but none could surpass Akhtar’s ginormous tally.

Sreesanth shows his support from Umesh Yadav

However, Sreesanth sounded optimistic about Umesh breaking the record. “Umesh Yadav might break Shoaib Akhtar’s 161.3 kph record. All batting records are being broken these days, so I feel Shoaib’s record will also be broken,” Sreesanth was quoted as saying on the Helo App.

Back in May 2010, Umesh made his debut for India. But frequent injuries and lack of form made it tough for him to hold on to his spot in the national side. In 46 Tests, 75 ODIs and seven T20Is, the Vidarbha seamer has racked up 144, 106 and nine wickets respectively.

It’s been over a year since Umesh last played limited-overs cricket for the Men in Blue. He was finding it though to break into the Test team as well. But Jasprit Bumrah’s back injury after the West Indies tour last year opened up the doors on him. He got a chance in the series against South Africa and paired with Mohammed Shami and Ishant Sharma to ruffle quite a few feathers.

He last played in the Christchurch Test against New Zealand where he could only pick up a couple of wickets. Back in February 2011, Umesh lost his mother and he got the news when he was playing a Vijay Hazare Trophy match in Tamil Nadu. At the age of 32, Umesh is still expected to have a few years of cricket left in him.